Sweden Euro 2020: Team News, Odds & Predictions

After failing to make it out of the group stage at the last three European Championships, Sweden will be hoping to finally make their mark when Euro 2020 gets underway in June. The Scandinavian’s may not be a team packed full of stars, however they have consistently demonstrated that they are a match for anyone on their day. Taking on Spain, Poland and Slovakia in Group E, can Sweden reach the Round of 16? On this page, we take a detailed look at the Swedish team. This includes their manager and key players, as well as appealing betting markets surrounding the team.

Sweden History

Despite finishing as the 1958 World Cup runners-up, Sweden’s biggest achievement in the modern era is reaching the last four at Euro 1992, a tournament in which they hosted. Having reached the Euro 2020 finals, Sweden has now qualified for the last six European Championships. However, the Swede’s have only reached the knockout stages once, coming in 2004, when they were beaten by Holland on penalties in the quarter finals. Sweden is currently placed at no.18 in the FIFA world rankings.

How Sweden Qualified for Euro 2020

Sweden were handed a tough qualifying draw, having found themselves alongside Spain, Norway and Romania, among others. However, just 1 defeat from their 10 matches saw Sweden finish as runners-up, behind only Spain. Six wins and three draws helped the team to 21 points, four ahead of Norway. Their success was built upon a solid defence, which conceded only 9 goals during the campaign. Sweden were only denied a win over Spain as a result of a 92nd minute equaliser. Robin Quaison finished as Sweden’s top scorer during qualifying, with 5 goals to his name.

Sweden in Group E

Sweden will once again come up against Spain at Euro 2020, with the two teams having been part of the same qualifying group for the tournament. After their clash in Seville, Sweden will travel to Russia in order to go head to head with Slovakia and Poland. Below is how their Group E fixtures look ahead of the tournament:

• Spain vs Sweden – Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville – June 14 20:00
• Sweden vs Slovakia – Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg – June 18 14:00
• Sweden vs Poland – Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg – June 22 20:00

Sweden Euro 2020: Odds & Predictions

Having never made it further than the last four at the Euro’s, it is little wonder that online bookies have given Sweden long odds to win Euro 2020. Those looking to place such a bet can find best odds of 100/1 with both Bet365 and Tonybet. Meanwhile, the following is how other top bookies have priced Sweden ahead of the tournament:

• Bet365 – 100/1
• Tonybet – 100/1
• 888Sport – 100/1
• SportNation – 80/1
• Betfair – 90/1
• NetBet – 80/1
• William Hill – 100/1
• Ladbrokes – 66/1

In terms of other markets, Sweden are 20/1 with William Hill to be the lowest scoring team at Euro 2020. Elsewhere, Juventus player Dejan Kulusevski is 33/1 with a host of bookie to win the young player of the tournament award. Finally, Sweden are 11/8 with Betfair to be eliminated from Euro 2020 in the Round of 16.

The Manager

Janne Andersson has been the Swedish head coach since back in 2016. The 58-year-old made his name with Halmstads BK and IFK Norrköping, before taking over from Erik Hamrén following Sweden’s poor showing at Euro 2016. Andersson has a win ratio of just over 50% with Sweden, while he has just one cup to his name as a manager, earned when IFK Norrköping won the Allsvenskan in 2015.

Standout Players

It looks like legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Euro 2020 through injury. The AC Milan frontman came out of international retirement at the beginning of the year, however the 39-year-old was soon sidelined. In his absence, the emphasis in front of goal is likely to fall upon Alexander Isak, with the Real Sociedad striker having long been hailed as Sweden’s biggest young talent. Elsewhere, Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof will help make up a back four for Sweden, with RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg providing creativity in midfield. Former Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson remains in the squad at the age of 36.

Sweden’s Strengths & Weaknesses

It does not take a genius to work out that Sweden are better defensively than they are going forward. The absence of Ibrahimovic or another top striker means that they are a team unlikely to score 3 or 4 goals in one match. Sweden are a team that work hard on set pieces, with this being one of their biggest threats.
It will also be a worry that key midfielder Forsberg has not had the best of seasons. He has not been a key player for his club, meaning that he could come into the tournament searching for his best form. However, Sweden are a team that work very hard for each other, which will put them in a good position against a Spain side who are not the force of old.

Our Prediction for Sweden at Euro 2020

Spain and Poland are undoubtedly the favourites to qualify from Group E. While Sweden certainly has a chance, they perhaps lack the firepower to make a significant impact. Much will depend on how they defend, with this having been what they have built their game around in recent years. We recommend betting on Sweden to fail to make it out of Group E, a market which is available at best odds of 15/8 with 888Sport.